Queen Harrison is preparing for the biggest track meet of her life at 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.

She will represent the United States -- and Richmond -- when she competes in the 400-meter hurdles next month. The Hermitage High School graduate and rising junior at Virginia Tech will live in the Olympic Village, surrounded by teammates and athletes from around the world, so she won't be lonely. But one thing may be lacking.

"I miss my family very much," said Harrison in a phone interview from Tech, where she is training. "It would be great if they could go. A lot of my meets this year have been in other states, so my family hasn't been able to see me."

Her schedule of competitions and coursework keeps the rising junior at Virginia Tech from seeing her large family as much as she'd like.

Some of Harrison's supporters in the area hope to change that and have started a drive to raise funds to send family members to Beijing.

Harrison's mother, Alicia Wingate, has been researching package trips to China, and estimated the cost for a trip to the Olympics at $3,000-$3,500 per person. Harrison will receive two tickets to each event when she competes.

"I'd hate to see an opportunity passed up where the community could help a family see one of its daughters run in the Olympics," said Walter Spain, girls' track coach at Hermitage High School, where Harrison was named Times-Dispatch All-Metro athlete of the year multiple times.

Harrison is the first Richmond-area high school graduate to make the U.S. Olympic team since swimmer Rada Owen in 2000, and the first Tech female to compete there.

"We've got to root for her to bring home the gold," Wingate said. "She's a hometown young lady and she'll put us on the map."

On Saturday, a car wash will be held at the school, 8301 Hungary Spring Road, to kick off fundraising. Harrison said she'll be there, helping Hermitage athletes and boosters scrub cars.

Spain acknowledges that the car wash won't come close to funding a trip to China, but he hopes that it will inspire the community to rally around her.

Harrison said she is grateful for all she has received so far.

"It really is a way for me to represent Richmond and know that Richmond is supporting me," she said. "I'm so proud to call Richmond my hometown. I want everyone to understand how much I appreciate the support I've gotten through the years. It's not just money, but the letters and congratulations."

Those wishing to offer more support can stop by the high school this week to sign a large banner in the front hallway.
Contact Lisa Crutchfield at (804) 649-6362 or lcrutchfield@timesdispatch.com.